Cauvery tribunal verdict disappointing: PMK

PMK said the final award of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal has caused 'great disappointment' to the people.

PMK, an ally of the ruling DMK, today said the final award of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal has caused 'great disappointment' to the people of Tamil Nadu as the quantum to be released to the state by Karnataka had been reduced to 192 tmcft from 205 tmcft in the interim award.

Urging Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to convene an all party meeting on the issue, PMK founder-leader S Ramadoss said the state government should discuss what should be done immediately.

Though the verdict said that the share of Tamil Nadu would be 419 tmcft, it had asked Karnataka to release only 192 tmcft in a year, while the interim order had directed release release 205 tmcft, he said.

Tamil Nadu unit of Janata Dal(S) welcomed the award and requested Karnataka to accept it. Secretary General of the party D Rajagopal, in a statement here, said it was the Janata Dal Government in 1990 which constituted the Tribunal as per the direction of the Supreme Court.

"In the interest of national unity, Karnataka should implement the judgment", he said and appealed to the Union and Karnataka governments to protect Tamil people living in Karnataka from those agitating against the verdict.